enefirst

Enefirst partners joined forces to bring a comprehensive yet clear and practical definition of the efficiency first principle, to identify policy areas where it can be applied to achieve the highest impact in terms of energy system benefits.

The Horizon 2020-funded project made the efficiency first principle operational in order to better understand its relevance for energy demand and supply and its broader impacts across sectors and markets, focusing on the buildings sector.

Enefirst builds on the principle of Efficiency First (E1st), a fundamental principle applied to policymaking, planning and investment in the energy sector, which is enshrined in EU Clean Energy for All legislation package.

The partners assessed how the concept has been applied internationally and how it applies to the EU context, then assessed the value of applying E1st across different policy areas for buildings end-use energy efficiency and to quantify the impacts of increased building energy efficiency for the future energy system in the EU.

Finally, it identified key policy areas for the application of E1st and developed policy proposals for its implementation in the EU Buildings Sector, by testing those in specific cases.